Religion Press Release Services

Findings Will Shape Ministry Strategies for Next 20 Years;
Information Also Important to International Humanitarian Organizations

News Conference Call for Media June 6 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific

Call-in Phone Number: 402-756-9000 - Access Code: 260791#

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (www.maf.org), a Redlands, CA, -based aviation, communications and technology ministry serving more than 600 Christian and non-governmental organizations worldwide, will announce the results of "Operation ACCESS!" during a news conference call for the media June 6 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time. "Operation ACCESS!," a five-year global research project, provides agencies with unprecedented, critical information to help shape international evangelism, ministry efforts and humanitarian strategies for the next 20 years.

The landmark study, which focuses on countries with pockets of people who are either forgotten or heretofore unreachable, identifies areas where transportation, communications and technology barriers prevent or impede access to the Gospel or to sustained resources, such as community development, healthcare and education.

"Research shows that despite the extraordinary missions efforts of the Church, three out of four people alive on the earth today still have not heard the Gospel," said Kevin Swanson, MAF president. "The Apostle Paul in Romans 10:15 talked about the need to send preachers. But preachers can't be sent unless the barriers that prevent their access and sustainability are overcome. Operation ACCESS! is a strategic 'roadmap' to accomplish this God-appointed task.."

Swanson likened the potential impact of "Operation ACCESS!" to the "10/40 Window" strategy popularized by missions strategist Luis Bush.

Ralph Winter, PhD., founder and former director general of the U.S. Center for World Missions and William Carey International University, said, "MAF's foundational re-analysis of its work and of mission work in general has produced a breathtaking new analysis of the challenge before us."

Charles H. Kraft, PhD., Professor of Anthropological and Intercultural Communication, Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Missions, called the study "one of the most promising projects I've seen in my 32 years at Fuller."

NOTE: The "Operation ACCESS!" news conference call will feature remarks from Swanson and Ghislaine Benney, research director. Questions from reporters will be welcome during the call.

Line access for the call is limited. Pre-registration is appreciated. To register, or for more information, contact Palmer Holt at 704-663-3303, or pholt@inchristcommunications.com.

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